Northeastern University Pre-College Programs Investments & Capital Markets Pre-College Program

Each day runs from check-in at 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July 2027, with a lunch break. Lunch isn't provided, and Northeastern suggests trying the many places to eat near the campus on the Upper East Side.

Classes cover how stocks, bonds and commodities behave, why higher risk should come with a higher expected return and why holding a mix of assets reduces risk. You put that to work building a portfolio for a given set of goals and risk preferences while researching one company in depth, and the week also includes a visit to the Financial District and a conversation with an investment professional. At the end of the week you stress-test your portfolio across different market scenarios, then present it along with your stock recommendation and answer questions on your reasoning.

Because it's a commuter program, evenings are your own, although Northeastern says students should expect some work outside class hours, usually group projects with other students. It also says the schedule and course content may change.

Finance faculty from Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim School of Business lead the week and guide each student's stock research. Across its pre-college programs, Northeastern says faculty may be supported by other instructors or graduate students, and current Northeastern students may serve as teaching assistants.

Northeastern puts a typical program at 15 to 30 students, though numbers vary, so expect a seminar-sized group rather than a lecture hall. The Accelerate Pre-College team, led by Senior Director Liz Quinn, runs the programs overall. Individual 2027 instructors aren't named, and Northeastern says faculty assignments can change.

The program is for rising high school juniors and seniors, meaning students finishing 10th or 11th grade in spring 2027. Northeastern reads applications the way it reads undergraduate ones, giving academics, activities and the rest of the application equal weight.

Along with the online form, you send an unofficial transcript or report cards and a personal statement of up to 250 words on your interest in the subject, why you want to enroll and what you hope to gain. Since the week centers on researching a company and defending a stock pick, a statement that shows a company or market question you've already followed speaks directly to what you'll do.

Northeastern publishes no acceptance rate, but it admits more students than it has places, so being admitted doesn't guarantee a spot until the deposit is paid.

Tuition is $995, which covers classes and course materials. Lunch and your daily travel to and from the New York City campus are extra. Northeastern also requires every participant to be covered by health or travel health insurance for the week, and most of its programs require students to bring their own laptop.

Admitted students secure a place with a non-refundable deposit of 20% of tuition after any aid or discounts, which comes to $199 at the full price, and the rest is due by 1 May 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. There's no formal payment plan, but Northeastern asks families who need more time to email the team. Families have also paid with 529 college savings plans in the past, so it's worth checking your plan provider's rules.

Need-based aid, usually a scholarship or tuition discount, is considered for every admitted student who answers the aid questions in the application, which ask for your household's adjusted gross income from your most recent federal tax return and the number of dependents. Any award comes with the admission decision, so you know the real cost before the deposit is due. Children of benefits-eligible Northeastern faculty and staff get 33% off, and some partner high schools and community organizations sponsor students.

You leave with a Recognition of Completion signed by a faculty member. There's no college credit and Northeastern issues no transcript, so what you really take away is the work itself: a researched bull and bear case on a real company and a portfolio you've had to explain under questioning.

Northeastern uses one application for all its residential and commuter programs through its admissions page, and if interest is very high it may close applications to this program after the priority round.

1. 1

   Submit the online application, which opens in early December 2026, with your transcript or report cards, your statement and the financial aid questions if you want aid considered.

2. 2

   Apply by the priority deadline of 15 January 2027, the regular deadline of 28 February 2027 or the late deadline of 15 March 2027, each at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

3. 3

   Expect a decision by email in early February, mid-March or early April depending on your round, with any aid award attached.

4. 4

   Pay the 20% deposit by 18 February, 1 April or 15 April 2027 for your round, but sooner is safer because places go first-come, first-served and programs typically fill before the deposit deadline.

5. 5

   Pay the remaining tuition by 1 May 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.